An indulgence of Belgian delights

At the end of September, 27 members went on a residential trip to Bruges in Belgium, organised by our Visits Secretary, Susanna Smart. The group stayed four nights in an attractive and comfortable hotel in the centre of the town and were able to take advantage of all the good restaurants and coffee houses there.

On the first full day, there was a guided tour of Bruges, showing off the numerous medieval buildings and enjoying a trip on the canal. The following day was spent in the ancient sea port of Antwerp, with a tour through the historic centre, passing by the cathedral and some of the 15th century merchant houses.

The last day before leaving Belgium was spent in the wonderful city of Ghent with its historic houses, streets and churches, including the cathedral which houses Hubert and Jan van Eyck's stunning altarpiece: The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, the beautiful execution of which was the inspiration for future generations of Renaissance artists.

Homeward bound, there was a short stop in Lille to enjoy the treasures of the Lille Art Museum, and then it was time to reboard Le Shuttle for the UK, after five interesting days.